The ExOne Company, the global leader in industrial sand and metal 3D printers using binder jetting technology, announced that the nickel-based alloy Inconel 718 has been certified as Third-Party Qualified, the company's highest designation of material readiness for its metal 3D printers.

Frequently used in the aerospace, energy and automotive industries, Inconel 718 is known for high strength and hardness, with strong resistance to corrosion, chemicals and extreme temperatures ranging from sub-zero to 1300° F. It also has outstanding welding characteristics, and is often used for high-temperature applications, such as jet engines and tooling, or corrosive environments, such as those featuring seawater or acids.

"Today's qualification of Inconel 718, following on the heels of M2 Tool Steel earlier this year, shows the ExOne R&D team is aggressively delivering new materials for binder jet 3D printing," said Rick Lucas, ExOne CTO and VP, New Markets. "Our increasing pace of material qualifications is a testament to the strength of our new metal 3D printer systems equipped with Triple ACT, an advanced compaction technology that is essential for binder jetting metals and other materials at high speeds and densities."

As is the case with Inconel 718, ExOne's patented Triple ACT enables 3D printing of standard MIM powders, followed by standard sintering profiles and heat treatments, that deliver high-density results consistent with wrought material. Independent testing verifies that Inconel 718 3D printed and sintered by ExOne meets ASTM standard B637-18.

"ExOne can now transition R&D materials to full qualification as demand increases," Lucas noted.